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Hi Doctor! I Have A Question.. I Just Took Some

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Posted on Thu, 18 Apr 2019
Question: hi doctor! i have a question.. i just took some blood teast and i appreat to have 1.75 potassium. they just called me and told me to come to the hospital so they can put some though an IV... i cant come in the moment.. right now is7:45pm.. and i will like to go tomorrow morning.. will i be ok? in the moment im drinking gatorade and in bed! ... i will like to know that i will be fine til i get there tomorrow morning to the hospital...!?

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Answered by Dr. Aaron Branch (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You should go to the hospital

Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. With a potassium level that low, it would be considered severe hypokalemia (low potassium), and I would recommend that you do go to the hospital now to be treated. A potassium level that low can lead to serious muscle damage and abnormal heart rhythms that can become dangerous. Drinking gatorade will not adequately treat this, and even though you are feeling alright now and probably would be alright if you waited until the morning, to be safe I would go immediately to get treated.

I'm sorry to have to give you that advice, but my main concern would be your safety, and so that is why I would recommend you go right away. They may need to keep you overnight to monitor your potassium as they use IV potassium to replace it. I hope they are able to treat you quickly and get you back home soon safely.

Please let me know if you have any other questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it further with you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Dr. Aaron Branch

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 1202 Questions

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Hi Doctor! I Have A Question.. I Just Took Some

Brief Answer: You should go to the hospital Detailed Answer: Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using Ask a Doctor. With a potassium level that low, it would be considered severe hypokalemia (low potassium), and I would recommend that you do go to the hospital now to be treated. A potassium level that low can lead to serious muscle damage and abnormal heart rhythms that can become dangerous. Drinking gatorade will not adequately treat this, and even though you are feeling alright now and probably would be alright if you waited until the morning, to be safe I would go immediately to get treated. I'm sorry to have to give you that advice, but my main concern would be your safety, and so that is why I would recommend you go right away. They may need to keep you overnight to monitor your potassium as they use IV potassium to replace it. I hope they are able to treat you quickly and get you back home soon safely. Please let me know if you have any other questions about that and I would be glad to discuss it further with you.